Skekler

It was a tradition in Shetland during the late 1800's (and into the early 1900's on the islands of Yell, Unst and Fetlar), for groups of guizers known as Skeklers to visit houses at Halloween, New Year and other times of celebration throughout the year. Dressed in straw suits and wearing pointed hats that hid their faces, and with a member of the group usually carrying a musical instrument to play, they would arrive unannounced and dance with householders who gave them food and drink in return. The suits were made from oat straw and the traditional 'Skeklers' hat would have lengths of decorative ribbons hanging from its top. The facepiece, which was sewn onto the bottom of the hat, was worn whenever entering a house to hide the 'Skeklers' identity. Similar customs are referred to in 13th century Icelandic Sagas. Guizers dressed as 'Skeklers' are ocassionally seen in modern Up Helly Aa festival squads.